DR MAGDA RABAN Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University
PROFESSOR JOHANNA WESTBROOK Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University
“A major area of concern is the overuse and misuse of medications, and how they are prescribed, administered and monitored.”
Transforming medication management in residential aged care with digital systems The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and
The challenges for digital systems in RAC
Safety has brought to light a broken residential
There are three main challenges to be overcome in
aged care (RAC) system that sorely needs major
the design of digital systems that will be effective
reform to meet the needs of older Australians.
in the RAC environment:
A major area of concern is the overuse and
1. Doctors and pharmacists are located off-site,
misuse of medications, and how they are
introducing communication challenges. For
prescribed, administered and monitored. This
instance, when changes are made to a resident’s
issue has been raised frequently by residents
medication, they need to be communicated by
and families to the Aged Care Quality and Safety
the GP or RAC to the community pharmacy.
Commission.
These changes then need to be assessed
Digital systems, which have been making
clinically by the pharmacist, and medication re-
significant inroads into RAC, have the potential
packed in dose administration aids, that are then
to transform medication management by improving
delivered to the RAC home. This process often
communication, and supporting adherence to
relies on phone calls and faxes, and can lead to
medication use and safety guidelines. Now is the
delays in the supply of updated medication.
time to ensure they are optimally designed to
2. Doctors, pharmacists and the RAC home typically
support the safe and effective use of medicines
have their own respective digital systems to
in RAC.
manage care, prescribe medication, and supply
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The Health Advocate • NOVEMBER 2020
